Y-String Racket

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates generally to the field of rackets. More specifically, the present invention relates to racket device. The device is primarily comprised of frame with at least one string, a handle, and at least one grommet. The device has at least one angled string area that has at least one string that is received by the grommet. Said angled string area does not sit in plane with the frame and other strings of the device. Due to the angled positioning of the angled string area, a ball is prevented from hitting the frame of the device, thereby preventing mishits.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/279,361, which was filed on Nov. 15, 2021, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of rackets. More specifically, the present invention relates to a new, improved way of stringing sports rackets. The device is primarily comprised of frame with at least one string, a handle, and grommets protecting string(s). The device has at least three angled string areas passing through grommets in the frame. Said angled string areas do not sit in plane with the frame and other strings of the device. Due to the angled positioning of the outer string hitting area, a ball is prevented from hitting the frame of the racket, thereby preventing mishits and errant shots. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices and methods of manufacture.

BACKGROUND

Existing rackets used for tennis, racquetball, squash, and other similar sports of the like are typically strung through the center of the frame. Most tennis players typically hit a ball with a topspin, which requires lifting the racket up and forward to impart spin on the ball causing the ball to fall quicker than a flat hit. However, if a player hits a ball too close to the frame of a racket, a mishit will occur. This is undesirable and can be extremely frustrating, especially in a competitive game environment.

Therefore, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a racket device that offers an improved string configuration, as compared with the original string configuration of 1873 origin. Further, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a racket design that offers an improved string configuration that prevents mishits on the frame from a plurality of different hits and serves.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises what the inventor calls a Y-String Racket. The racket is primarily comprised of frame with at least one string, a handle, and grommets in the frame to protect the string from abrasion. The Y-String Racket has at least one angled string areas having at least one string that is received by the grommet, wherein said angled string areas do not sit in plane with the main grid of crossed strings. Due to the angled positioning of the angled string area, a ball struck by the Y-String Racket is generally prevented from hitting the frame, thereby preventing mishits.

In this manner, the Y-String Racket accomplishes all of the forgoing objectives and provides an improved racket. Furthermore, the improved string configuration prevents mishits on the frame of the device. As a result, the device is easier to use for racket sport players of all levels.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a racket device primarily comprised of frame with at least one string, a handle, and at least one grommet. In differing embodiments, the frame may be shaped and sized accordingly to be used as a stringed racket in any racket sport such as, but not limited to: tennis, racquetball, squash, etc. The frame has a handle that is comprised of a grip which is preferably made of a leather, rubber, polyurethane or other material that promotes adequate retention of the racket in the hand or hands of a user.

The frame also has a flat or rounded top surface and bottom surface in addition to a central opening that is covered by at least one (but preferably a plurality of) string(s). The inner surface of the frame has a plurality of continuous string openings located in the middle of the inner surface that receive the strings, wherein the strings are strung through the inner surface of the frame and to grommets located within a recessed channel in the outer surface of the frame. The grommets prevent the strings from being cut by the frame. The bottom surface of the grommet has at least one cylindrical protrusion with an opening that exits through the top surface of the grommet. Accordingly, each protrusion can be inserted into each string opening of the frame to allow each string to be strung through the grommet and tied on the outer or inner surface of the frame to secure the strings to the frame.

The Y-String Racket has at least one, but preferably two, angled string areas comprised of any number of strings. Said string area(s) are not in plane with the main string area. In contrast, the strings of the angled string area are positioned at an angle greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees relative to the top surface of the frame and relative to the rest of the strings which are in plane with the frame. As a result, the strings of the raised area attach at an angle to the frame such that mishits on the frame are prevented, as a ball will simply strike the angled string area instead of the frame.

Accordingly, the Y-String Racket of the present invention is particularly advantageous as it provides players with an improved string configuration that prevents mishits on the frame of the device. In doing so, the device is easier to use for racket sport players of all levels. In this manner, the racket device overcomes the limitations of existing rackets known in the art as originally configured in 1873 in tennis.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a Y-String Racket of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a full grommet and a half-grommet of one potential embodiment of a racket device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 3 illustrates an enhanced perspective view of one potential embodiment of a racket device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 4 illustrates an enhanced perspective view of one potential embodiment of a racket device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture; and

FIG. 5 illustrates an enhanced perspective view of one potential embodiment of a racket device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.

As noted above, there exists a long-felt need in the art for rackets that offer an improved string configuration. There also exists a long-felt need in the art for a racket that offers an improved string configuration wherein said string configuration prevents mishits on the frame of the device. Further, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a racket that offers an improved string configuration that prevents mishits on the frame of the device from a plurality of different racket hits and serves.

The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is comprised of a racket device. The device is primarily comprised of frame with at least one string, a handle, and at least one grommet. In differing embodiments, the frame may be shaped and sized accordingly to be used as a stringed racket in any racket sport such as, but not limited to: tennis, racquetball, squash, etc. In addition, the frame has a handle that is comprised of a grip which is preferably made of a leather, rubber, polyurethane or other synthetic material that promotes adequate retention of the device in the hand or hands of a user.

The frame has a flat or rounded top surface and bottom surface in addition to a central opening. Said opening is covered by at least one (but preferably a plurality of) string(s). The inner surface of the frame has a plurality of continuous string openings located in the middle of the inner surface. The openings receive the strings and allow the strings to be strung through the inner surface of the frame and to a full grommet located within a recessed channel in the outer surface of the frame. A full grommet allows the strings to sit in plane (i.e., parallel) with the top surface and bottom surface of the frame, wherein the bottom surface of the full grommet has at least one cylindrical protrusion with an opening that exits through the top surface of the grommet. Accordingly, each protrusion can be inserted into each string opening of the frame to allow each string to be strung through the grommet and tied on the outer surface or inner surface of the frame to secure the strings to the frame.

The device has at least one, and up to four, angled string areas on each side of the racket. Said areas may be comprised of any number of strings, wherein said strings are not in plane with the large, main, central surface of the device. In contrast, the strings of the angled string area are positioned at an angle greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees relative to the top surface of the frame and the other strings which are in plane with the frame. As a result, the strings of the raised area attach at an angle to the frame such that mishits on the frame are prevented as a ball will simply strike the angled string area instead of the frame.

Accordingly, the racket device of the present invention is particularly advantageous as it provides a racket with an improved string configuration that prevents mishits on the frame of the device. In doing so, the device is easier to use for racket sport players of all levels. In this manner, the Y-String Racket overcomes the limitations of existing rackets known in the art.

Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a racket device 100 of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The device 100 is primarily comprised of frame 110 with at least one string 160, a handle 120, and at least one grommet 140,150. In differing embodiments, the frame 110 may be shaped and sized accordingly to be used as a stringed racket in any racket sport such as, but not limited to: tennis, racquetball, etc. In differing embodiments, the frame 110 may be manufactured from a plurality of materials such as, but not limited to, graphite, wood, aluminum, carbon fiber, plastic, fiberglass, etc. The frame 110 may further be any color known in the art and may feature any number of indicia 170 such as, but not limited to, patterns, logos, emblems, images, symbols, designs, letters, numbers, words, characters, animals, advertisements, brands, etc. The frame 110 further has a handle 120 that is comprised of a grip 122. The grip 122 is preferably made of a leather, rubber, polyurethane or other material that promotes adequate retention of the device 100 in the hand or hands of a user.

The frame 110 has a flat or rounded top surface 114 and bottom surface 116. The frame 110 further has a central opening 119 that is covered by at least one (but preferably a plurality of) string(s) 160. The string(s) 160 is preferably manufactured from a natural gut, nylon, polyester, or other racket string material of the like. The inner surface 118 of the frame 110 has a plurality of continuous string openings 130 located in the middle of the inner surface 118 that allows the strings 160 to be strung through the inner surface 118 of the frame 110 and to a full grommet 140 located within a recessed channel 1120 in the outer surface 112 of the frame 110.

As best seen in FIG. 2 , the full grommet 140 allows the strings 160 to sit in plane (i.e., parallel) with the top surface 114 and bottom surface 116 of the frame 110, such that the strings 160 form a first plane and a non-angled string area. The full grommet 140 may have a rounded or flat top surface 142, and a bottom surface 144 with at least one cylindrical protrusion 146 with an opening 148 that ultimately exits through the top surface 142 of the grommet 140. Each protrusion 146 can be inserted into each string opening 130 of the frame 110 to allow each string 160 to be strung through the grommet 140 and tied on the outer surface 112 and/or inner surface 118 of the frame 110, thereby securing the strings 160 in position on the frame 110.

Although the majority of the strings 160 of the device 100 are in plane with the top surface 114 and bottom surface 116 of the frame 110, the device 100 has at least one, but preferably two or more, angled string areas 162 (as best seen in FIG. 3 , FIG. 4 , and FIG. 5 ). Said areas 162 may feature any number of strings 160, wherein said strings 160 of the area 162 are not in plane with the top surface 114, bottom surface 116 or other strings 160 (i.e., the strings 160 in plane with the top surface 114 and bottom surface 116) of the device 100. Instead, the strings 160 of the angled string area 162 form a second plane and are positioned at an angle greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees relative to the top surface 114 of the frame and relative to the remainder of the strings 160 which are in plane with the frame 110. In this manner, the strings 160 of the raised area 162 attach at an angle to the frame 110. As a result, mishits on the frame 110 are prevented, as a ball will simply strike the angled string area 162 instead of the frame 110.

It should be appreciated that the string openings 130 for the strings 160 of the angled string area 162 are positioned above the string openings 130 for the majority of the in-plane strings 160 of the device 100. In one embodiment, a second full grommet 140 may be used to secure the strings 160 of the angled string area 162 to the frame 110. In a differing embodiment, at least one half-grommet 150 may be used. In contrast to a full grommet 140, the half grommet has a top surface 152 and a bottom surface 154 with at least one angled protrusion 156 that has no opening. The protrusion 156 may be placed in and received by the opening 130 of the frame 110, wherein the string 160 of the angled string area 162 may then be laid across and tied/secured to the top surface 152 of the grommet 150, which may be flat or channeled.

Furthermore, differing embodiments of the device 100 may have a plurality of differing angled string areas 162 on various locations around the frame 110 and central opening 119. In this manner, the areas 162 can prevent the frame 110 from being struck on a plurality of shot types such as, but not limited to: topspin, overhead, short hop, volley, half-volley, forehand, etc. As a result, the device 100 is easier to use for players of all skill levels than existing rackets known in the art. Further, the string openings 130 may be spaced apart at any distance that produces desirable string 160 tension and device 100 performance.

Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “racket device” and “device” are interchangeable and refer to the racket device 100 of the present invention.

Notwithstanding the forgoing, the racket device 100 of the present invention and its various components can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that they accomplish the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the size, configuration and material of the racket device 100 as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the racket device 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the racket device 100 are important design parameters for user convenience, the racket device 100 may be of any size, shape and/or configuration that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.

Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.

What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A racket device comprising: a handle; a frame connected to the handle and having a central opening; a first plurality of strings positioned within the central opening and forming a first plane, wherein the first plurality of strings are removably attached to the frame via a grommet; and a second plurality of strings positioned within the central opening and a portion of which form a second plane, wherein the second plurality of strings are removably attached to frame by a half grommet, wherein the second plane is positioned at an angle to the first plane.
 2. The racket device of claim 1, wherein the first plane is substantially parallel with each of a top surface and a bottom surface of the frame.
 3. The racket device of claim 1, wherein the angle is between 0 and 90 degrees.
 4. The racket device of claim 1, wherein the first and second plurality of strings are manufactured from a natural gut, a nylon or a polyester material.
 5. The racket device of claim 1, wherein the first plurality of strings can be strung from an inner surface of the frame or an outer surface of the frame.
 6. A racket device comprising: a handle; a frame comprised of a central opening and a continuous string opening; a plurality of strings spanning at least a portion of the central opening and forming a non-angled string area and an angled string area; a grommet comprised of at least one protrusion with an opening that protrudes through the continuous string opening of the frame.
 7. The racket device of claim 6, wherein an outer surface of the frame has a recessed channel.
 8. The racket device of claim 7, wherein the grommet is positioned within the recessed channel.
 9. The racket device of claim 6, wherein a plane of the angled string area forms an angle of between 0 and 90 degrees relative to a plane of the non-angled string area.
 10. The racket device of claim 9, wherein the plane of the non-angled string area is substantially parallel with each of a top surface and a bottom surface of the frame.
 11. The racket device of claim 6, wherein the plurality of strings is manufactured from a natural gut, a nylon or a polyester material.
 12. The racket device of claim 9, wherein the plane of the angled string area is not parallel with each of a top surface and a bottom surface of the frame.
 13. A racket device comprising: a handle; a frame having a central opening and a continuous string opening; a plurality of strings positioned within the central opening and forming a non-angled string area and an angled string area; and a half grommet that receives the plurality of strings and that is comprised of a protrusion that rests within the continuous string opening of the frame.
 14. The racket device of claim 13, wherein an outer surface of the frame has a recessed channel.
 15. The racket device of claim 14 further comprising a grommet that is located within the recessed channel.
 16. The racket device of claim 13, wherein a plane of the angled string area forms an angle of between 0 and 90 degrees relative to a plane of the non-angled string area.
 17. The racket device of claim 13, wherein the non-angled string area is substantially parallel with a top surface and a bottom surface of the frame.
 18. The racket device of claim 16, wherein at least one of the plurality of strings of the angled string area rests on a top surface of the half grommet.
 19. The racket device of claim 13, wherein the plurality of strings is manufactured from a natural gut, a nylon or a polyester material.
 20. The racket device of claim 13, wherein the plurality of strings can be strung on an inner surface or an outer surface of the frame. 